Interview with Sweet Romance Author Jewel Adams

Jewel Adams stays crazy busy with her family and writing. She has written several books in different genres and is also a motivational speaker to both youth and adult audiences. She home schools her four kids that are still at home, and between that and conjuring up new ideas for her books, her brain is completely fried most of the time. She and her husband Sean are the parents of eight children, which means they are both losing hair, but hey, that's what Rogaine is for, right? She and her family reside in Utah.

“This story really tugs my heart strings and it was done in the most tasteful manner. It is a true love story of two people deeply in love, who love their family while facing life's many trials.”

Hello Jewel! It's nice meeting you. We don't live very far from each other. What a coincidence! Please tell us about your novel.

The Legacy was a two year long project. It’s the story of a young black woman who leaves her tragic past behind and changes her life. So many wonderful blessings come into her life, but she still feels unworthy of them and has yet to understand her worth in the eyes of God. She soon finds love and that knowledge eventually comes, but she soon faces some trials she never expected.

I usually put a little of myself in my heroines, but I put more of myself in Cisely, the heroine of The Legacy, than any other character. When you read about her past, the abuse, and then the days of drugs and alcohol, that was me. It took a long time for me to see what God sees in me. He sent me a great husband and eight amazing kids. Now I just enjoy life and take the joys and the trials as they come.

Wow! Isn't it amazing how the Lord watches over us and helps us find true happiness. You are very blessed. I read your book and your style of writing is new to me. Please tell my readers about it.

I like writing in first person-present tense because I'm able to really get into the main character's head and show more emotion. I also write in first person-past tense in some of my other books.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Many times, I do draw on some life experiences, I just change the names to protect the innocent, and the guilty:-) Sometimes I use the experiences of others. My desk sits in front of my bedroom window, which is over the garage. Sometimes I sit and watch the neighbors coming and going. They have no idea of the stories or characters they inspire:-)

Haha! That’s so funny! A Reviewer wrote, “I am so enchanted by this story. The Legacy is beautifully written, heartfelt and very inspirational. I'm an avid reader and this is, hands down, the best love story I have ever read. I started reading and simply could not stop until I reached the end (I did not even stop to dry my tears.) … I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to find a story that does not center on the physical aspect of relationships!” Tell us your thoughts about this, especially the last sentence.

When I was a teenager, I loved to read romance novels, but the only ones available were Harlequin, and this was way before their Loved Inspired novels. When I was older and began thinking about writing, I decided to write romance that was uplifting and clean. Most of my books are interracial romance because that's what I know, and I like to write stories that are emotion-driven, and stories that featured characters with Christian morals and values without being preachy. I love hearing from fans how my books have affected them. Some of the emails make me totally teary and they reaffirm my determination to never sell my fans out by crossing the line and introducing immorality in my writing. Some enjoy more physical stories and that's completely okay. I'll never judge anyone for what they enjoy reading because we all like different things. 

What does your family think about your writing?

It's funny, but my oldest daughter likes to read my books and has finally gotten past the “Mom, I can't believe you wrote that! You're my Mom!” syndrome. It was okay for her to read passionate love stories from other authors, but having her mom write those things was just totally weird. I think she is good with it now:-) The rest of the family thinks it's pretty cool.

I know exactly what you mean. My books are sweet romances, too, and a couple of my daughters felt the same way. What a coincidence! Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I seriously cannot go a whole day without orange Tic tacs. My kids call them my drug of choice. Heaven will not be heaven without them:-) Okay, something serious: When I was a kid, I suffered a lot of abuse for a lot of years, but I had dreams just like any other child. And even though they were grandiose dreams, they could never compare to the life I have been blessed with. God had bigger plans for me than I had for myself. It's nice to know He saw the real me and knew what was best for me. 

Thank you so much for this interview, Jewel. I look up to you because of what you have become through all the difficulties in your life. Now I know the real you: a woman of courage!